For any travellers planning a trip to Australia soon here is the best itinerary to explore the East Coast of Australia. From Syndey to Cairns in 3 weeks, all the places to stay, activities to do, places to see, and ways to get from one destination to the next.
Sydney (3 days)
Sydney is a great starting destination to begin your travels up the East Coast of Australia. Sydney is filled with famous tourist destinations plus some more hidden gems. Sydney is such a big city you can definitely spend more time here but if you want to hit all the main spots I recommend 3 days.
Accommodations
While staying in Sydney I would recommend checking out Mad Monkey Backpackers or Wake Up! Sydney Central.
Click here to visit Hostel World to book affordable accommodations.
Day 1
During your first day in Sydney I would recommend a walk around the city.
All of the must see spots during your walk around Sydney:
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Sydney Oprah House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Observation Hill Lookout
- Darling Harbour
Day 2
For your second day, I recommend that you take a ferry from Circular Quay (near the Sydney Oprah House) to Manly. You can visit some shops in Manly while walking from the wharf to Manly Beach. After exploring a bit you should take a walk from Manly Beach to Spit Bridge.
Day 3
For your third and last day in Sydney, I would recommend going on the Bondi to Coogee walk. You get to start off at the famous Bondi Beach and see the Bondi Icebergs Pool before starting your walk. This walk is beautiful and along the water the whole time. You will visit lots of beaches along the way and you will end at Coogee Beach.
Transport to Next Destination
To get from Sydney to Byron Bay you have a few different transportation options
- Drive (takes around 8 hours) (click here to book a rental car economy bookings)
- Bus (takes around 15 hours)
- Fly (takes around 1 hour)
To find the different ways to travel between Sydney and Byron Bay click here.
Byron Bay (2 days)
Accommodations
I highly recommend staying in Wake Up! Byron Bay Hostel. It is a beautiful hostel that is right across from the beach and only around a 10 minutes walk into the town.
Day 1
Spend your first day exploring the beautiful town of Byron Bay by foot, bike, or car. Take a walk around the shops, cafes, and more in the centre of Byron Bay. After you explore the town have lunch at the beach and spend the rest of your day relaxing.
Day 2
Start your morning with an early wake-up to watch the sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse. Then during the day I highly recommend joining a kayaking tour with Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay.
Looking for other great activites to do while in Byron Bay check out Trip Advisor.
Transport to the Next Destination
Greyhound buses will be your best friend while travelling up the East Coast of Australia. The bus from Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Check out Rome2Rio if you want to compare different forms of transportation.
Surfers Paradise (2 days)
Accommodations
In Surfers Paradise check out Bunk Surfers Paradise Hostel. It is right in the centre of everything. It’s a couple of minutes walk from the bus station, around a 5-10 minute walk to the beach, and right by lots of stores and restaurants.
Day 1
After arriving in Surfers Paradise, spend the first day exploring. Walk around some of the shops and visit the beach.
Day 2
For your second day in Surfers Paradise, you have to go surfing. If you don’t know how to surf take a surfing lesson. Check out Get Wet Surf School the instructors are great! After your day of surfing or learning to surf watch the sunset from SkyPoint Observation Deck. It’s an amazing view of Surfer Paradise from above.
Transport to the Next Destination
The bus from Surfers Paradise to Brisbane takes around an hour. There are other transportation options like the train or car but the bus is both fast and affordable.
If you want to look at all the different forms of transporation, check out Rome2Rio.
Brisbane (2 days)
Accomodations
When I stayed in Brisbane I stayed in Bunk Brisbane Hostel. It was not my favourite hostel along my travels up the east coast so I would recommend looking into hostels on Hostel World.
Day 1
After arriving in Brisbane from Surfers Paradise and getting settled into your accommodations. I recommend taking a walk around the city.
Places to see during your Brisbane City Walk:
- Brisbane River
- Storey Bridge
- Kangaroo Point
- Brisbane Sign
- Brisbane Botanical Gardens
Day 2
During your second day in Brisbane, you must visit the Australia Zoo. From Brisbane’s City Centre, you have to take a train and a bus, which in total take around 1.5-2 hours, but it is well worth it. I recommend spending the whole day at the Australia Zoo because there is so much to see.
Transport to the Next Destination
The bus from Brisbane to Surfers Paradise takes around 5 hours.
Check out Rome2Rio to see all the different ways to travel from Brisbane to Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach (1 day)
Accomodations
Check out Freedom Hostel in Rainbow Beach it’s really nice and close to the beach, cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Day 1
After arriving in Rainbow Beach and getting settled into your accommodations take a walk about the small town. I recommend you visit the rainbow stairs on your way to the beach to spend some time.
Transport to the Next Destination
If you are planning on taking a trip to Fraser Island I recommend going on a tour. With a tour, you will get 4×4 trucks to drive on the sandy beaches of Fraser Island. To get to Fraser Island you will take a ferry from Rainbow Beach.
If you want for details check out my “3 day Fraser Island Itinerary.”
Fraser Island (3 days)
Accomodations
During your stay on Fraser Island, you will most likely be camping. Check out Dilli Village Campsite.
Day 1
After arriving on Fraser Island visit Lake Wabby. It’s around an hour walk from where you can park to Lake Wabby. Spend some time going for a swim and taking in the beautiful view.
Day 2
During your second day on Fraser Island visit Lake Mckenzie which is a beautiful blue freshwater lake with white sand beaches. After spending some time at Lake Mckenzie head to Champagne Pools. The Champagne Pool are natural pools that overlook the ocean.
Day 3
On your last day on Fraser Island visit the S.S. Maheno shipwreck before spending the rest of your day at Eli Creek. Take a swim through Eli Creek before relaxing on the beach or playing some games.
Transportation to the Next Destination
To get from Fraser Island to Airlie Beach you will take the same ferry from Fraser Island back to Rainbow Beach and then take an overnight bus from Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach. The bus is around 14 hours long.
If you are looking for a faster route look at Rome2Rio to see the different transportation methods and their prices.
Airlie Beach (1 day)
Accommodations
Check out Nomads Hostel in Airlie Beach to stay at. It is around a 15-20 minute walk from the bus station, around a 5-10 minute walk to the beach, and close to lots of stores and restaurants.
Day 1
Spend your day exploring Airlie Beach before your exciting sailing trip to the Whitsundays. You can take a walk along the beach and have a beach day. Or if you like hikes check out Honeyeater Lookout.
Transportation to the Next Destination
To get from Airlie Beach to the Whitsunday Islands you must travel by boat. You can go for a day trip but I recommend going on a 3-day sailing tour.
Whitsunday Islands (3 days)
Accommodations
If you are doing a sailing tour around the Whitsundays, which I highly recommend, you will be sleeping on a sailboat.
Day 1
Activites for your first day exploring the Whitsunday Islands:
- Lunch Near Hook Island
- Snorkelling in Lunchan Bay
- Snorkelling near Cockatoo Point
- Snack and relax on Langford Sandspit
Day 2
Activites for you second day sailing around the Whitsundays:
- Hill Inlet Lookout
- Turtle Bay
- Whitehaven Beach
- Nara Bay
Day 3
Activities for you last day exploring the Whitsundays:
- Nolle Island National Park
- Balancing Rock
- Spion Kop
If you want more information about sailing the Whitsundays check out my 3-day Itinerary for sailing around the Whitsunday Islands.
Transportation to the Next Destination
You will then take the boat back to Airlie Beach and take a bus to your last destination Cairns. The bus from Airlie to Cairns is around 10 hours so I recommend taking an overnight bus.
Cairns (3 days)
Accomodations
Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel and Resort in Cairns is a great place to stay. It’s around a 10-minute walk to the beach and next to lots of shops, cafes, markets, and clubs.
Day 1
If you want to start your stay in Cairns off with a bang, check out Skydive Australia to go skydiving. It is such an amazing experience and you will get to say you did it in Australia!
Day 2
For your second day in Cairns go on a boat tour to the Great Barrier Reef. I’m sure swimming in the Great Barrier Reef is on everyone’s travel bucket list when travelling to Australia.
Visit Trip Advisor to find great boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 3
On your third and last day in Australia, I would spend it soaking it all up. Take a long walk around Cairns, and visit all the last places you want to see before packing up to head to your next destination or to head home.
Hope that was helpful for anyone planning a trip to Australia. Spending around 3-weeks to travel up the East Coast is a great amount of time to see all the highlights. It will be a trip you will never forget.
